onstitution and government

The executive, legislative and judicial branches of government receive their power
from the constitution and are bound by it.[46] With the aid of its constitution,
India is governed by a parliamentary system of government with the executive
directly accountable to the legislature. The President of India is head of the
executive branch, under Articles 52 and 53, with the duty of preserving, protecting
and defending the constitution and the law under Article 60. Article 74 provides
for a Prime Minister as head of the Council of Ministers, which aids and advises
the president in the performance of their constitutional duties. The council is
answerable to the lower house under Article 75(3).

The constitution is considered federal in nature, and unitary in spirit. It has

features of a federation (a codified, supreme constitution, a three-tier
governmental structure [central, state and local], division of powers, bicameralism
and an independent judiciary) and unitary features such as a single constitution,
single citizenship, an integrated judiciary, a flexible constitution, a strong
central government, appointment of state governors by the central government, All
India Services (the IAS, IFS and IPS) and emergency provisions. This unique
combination makes it quasi-federal in form.[47]

Each state and union territory has its own government. Analogous to the president
and prime minister, each has a governor or (in union territories) a lieutenant
governor and a chief minister. Article 356 permits the president to dismiss a state
government and assume direct authority if a situation arises in which state
government cannot be conducted in accordance with constitution. This power, known
as president's rule, was abused as state governments came to be dismissed on flimsy
grounds for political reasons. After the S. R. Bommai v. Union of India decision,
[48][49] such a course of action is more difficult since the courts have asserted
their right of review.[50]

The 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts introduced the system of panchayati raj in rural
areas and Nagar Palikas in urban areas.[16] Article 370 gives special status to the
state of Jammu and Kashmir.